WW2 Rare Battle of Britain pilot R Stretch 235 sqn signed 50...

Estimate

£10 - £14

WW2 Rare Battle of Britain pilot R Stretch 235 sqn signed 50th ann RAF cover. Also signed by John Keatings 219 sqn, Ais Hearn MM and the pilot who flew the covers. R Stretch was posted to 235 Squadron, operating Blenheims at Bircham Newton, arriving on 26th August 1940. On 29th October 1940 Stretch was crewed with Sgt. RF Tatnell for a sweep off the Danish coast. They engaged two He115 floatplanes, before the enemy aircraft escaped into cloud Stretch observed his rounds '..richochet off the armour plating..'. On 4th March 1941, crewed with F/O Lewis, they engaged a Ju88. The forward-firing guns jammed soon after opening fire but Stretch was able to make a number of hits on the port engine. The Ju88 was later confirmed as destroyed. When 235 converted to Beaufighters in June 1941 Stretch joined 86 Squadron, operating Beauforts from North Coates on anti-shipping strikes. He arrived on 23rd June and remained with them, flying on detachment to St. Eval and Skitten as well as North Coates, until 2nd July 1942. On 17th May he had taken part in a strike on the German cruiser Prinz Eugen which was limping south along the Norwegian coast after being damaged by a British submarine. There was a furious response by German AA fire and fighters during which Stretch shot down a Me109. The cruiser escaped to Kiel for repair. 86 Squadron lost four Beauforts in this operation. In July 1942 he went to 8 OTU at Fraserburgh as a gunnery instructor. In December he joined 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit at Gosport, target-towing in Defiants and flying in Oxfords on night co-operation with anti-aircraft units and searchlights. He later served with 7 AACU at Ipswich and Montford Bridge before serving with 577 Squadron, also in the AACU role, from 6th December 1943 till 24th April 1944. They operated from Sealand and Wrexham. Stretch remustered as a Wireless Operator Mechanic/Air Gunner in April 1944 and was posted to Cranwell. On completion of the course in December he joined 502 Squadron at Stornoway, operating in Halifaxes on night shipping attacks. He arrived there on 4th January 1945. In June 1945 Stretch was posted to 279 (ASR) Squadron, operating with Sea Otters and Warwicks from Thornaby. He also served on detachment to 280 and 281 Squadrons at Tain and Beccles. Good condition. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide.